CHESS MATCH.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9836, 20 September 1897, Page 6

CHESS MATCH.

CANTERBURY v OAMARU. The match by telegraph between the Canterbury and Oamaru Chess Clubs was continued on Saturday evening, when the majority of games were either finished or assumed so definite a shape that a very good idea can be formed of their result, bo far Oamani has won three games and Christchurch two. Oamaru has wiiuring positions at two boards and Christchurch at three, and one game has been drawn. Of the three remaining games Mr Wigram is a pawn to the bad, though it is doubtful if this wiU be sufficient to win the game for Oamaru, and Messrs Cant and Woreley's games are apparently even with still a lot of play left in them. Saturday's play went off without a hitch, several errors that were made being rectified under the new rules without any penalty being exacted. Details of the play:— At board 1 Mr Hookham early lo3t a pawu through an oversight. The Oamaru captain improved his game, and another oversight on Mr Hookham's part left his opponent a mate on the move.

At board 2 Mr Andersen improved hie game, winning first one pawn and then another. This leaves him with an apparently winning position. At board 3 Mr Searell never recovered his position, and resigned on the thirty-fifth move.

At board 4 Mc Milner soon obtained a very strong attack, and won a rook. His opponen , - then won a bishop, but at the expense or such an attack that he soon had to resign. This, the first win for Ghriatchurch, wa3 hailed with applause. At board 5 Mr Smith, who had won a piece, had to submit to a hot attack. This he defended correctly, and with the piece to the good and an equal position, shonld win easily. At board 6 Mr Cant's opponent misplaced a piece on the twenty-fifth move, which was discovered on the twenty-ninth move, and the last four moves were cancelled. Mr Cant defended a very difficult game well, and now has a position at least equal to his adversary's. At board 7 Mr Scott's opponent continued an almost hopeless game, but it is only a question of time for the Southerner to resign. At board 8 Oamaru had scored the game ou the first night. At board 9 Mi- Wigram, though, with a pawn down, maintained his position, and it is impossible to say whether the pawn advantage will bte sufficient to give Oamaru a

At board 10 Mr Worsley's game continued quite even, though the Oamaru man's position is perhaps a little the better. At board 11 Mr Clutten gained two pawns at the expense of a strong attack. This he repulsed successfully, and forcing some exchanges made his game sure, and the Southerner resigned. At board 12 Mr Spilier was unable to improve his pawn advantage and the game was drawn.

At board 13 Mr Lane's game gradually went to the bad, and as his opponent has two pawns to the good and several " passed " pawns this will be another loss for Christchurch.

At board 14 Mr Joyce's game also got worse, and he lost a pawn. The Oamarn man continued to improve his position and now appears to have a winning game. The match will probably be continued next Saturday.